This Aug. 21, 2009, file photo shows Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James laughing during an interview in the locker room of his former high school, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

(Newser)
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Well, that was fast. LeBron James will announce the winner of the battle for his affections tomorrow night in an hour-long special on ESPN, according to an ESPN report. (Yes, journalism fans, ESPN reporter Chris Broussard has “learned through independent sources” that this is going on, but network brass “would only confirm that active discussions for the special are ongoing.”) Proceeds from the special will go to the Boys and Girls Club.

There’s still no official word on what LeBron will announce, but the sharps are betting this means he's staying in Cleveland. The InTrade option for LeBron staying jumped almost 30 points on the news, Business Insider reports, on the theory that a decision to chase sponsorship money in the big city wouldn't make for inspiring TV. There have also been reports that he’s leaning on buddy Chris Bosh to accept a sign-and-trade to Cleveland, though Bosh isn’t crazy about the idea.

The city of Miami is not some big media market that will attract a lot of national fans or commercial endorsements. It's a fetid subtropical backwater of immigrants, vacationers and retired people. Look at the pathetic business known as the Florida Marlins. LeBron should stay in Cleveland.

Abecedarian

Jul 7, 2010 8:39 AM CDT

OMFG, who gives a shit. This guy is making fools of all the "fans". Using the media to sinch his new $$$$$$$ deal. So, the fans can pay more money for tickets next year to cover his $$$$$$$. There is no more playing for the love of the game, it's all about $$$$$$. How sad. I long for the days when Larry Bird played hurt but he never sat out because the love of the game was there. No more quality players, just show-boaters trying to inflate their next deal.

Hybrid_2.0

Jul 7, 2010 7:48 AM CDT

Bosh is now going to Maimi, and Lebron was waiting to see if he could get Bosh to come to cleveland.....Now he knows that won't happen and is going to go to New York to play with the Knicks and Amire Sto.... Or to the long shot right now, Chicago. But IMO he is not staying in cleveland.